Richard Despard Estes
Encyclopedia
Richard Despard Estes is a biologist
specialising in the behaviour of mammal
s in mainland Africa
. He is particularly interested in studying wildebeest
. This interest lead Rod East, the former cochair of the Antelope Specialist Group of the IUCN-World Conservation Union
, to dub him the 'Guru of Gnu.' It has been suggested that Estes is responsible for most of the world's knowledge of wildebeest behaviour.
Estes chose to study wildebeest because he thought they were 'the most interesting' animals he knew, particularly in their rutting
behaviour. He obtained his doctorate
in the early 1960s with a thesis on the wildebeest of the Ngorongoro Crater, in which he advanced the theory that the females' estrus was triggered by the rumbling 'love call' of the males. Estes has spent most of the ensuing 40 years doing field work in Africa. In 2004 he began a project in cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution
to test his early theory using new advances in molecular chemistry
.
Estes has written two guides for travellers to Africa, The Behavior Guide to African Mammals (considered the standard reference of its kind) and The Safari Companion.
Biologist
A biologist is a scientist devoted to and producing results in biology through the study of life. Typically biologists study organisms and their relationship to their environment. Biologists involved in basic research attempt to discover underlying mechanisms that govern how organisms work...
specialising in the behaviour of mammal
Mammal
Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young...
s in mainland Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. He is particularly interested in studying wildebeest
Wildebeest
The wildebeest , also called the gnu is an antelope of the genus Connochaetes. It is a hooved mammal...
. This interest lead Rod East, the former cochair of the Antelope Specialist Group of the IUCN-World Conservation Union
World Conservation Union
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources is an international organization dedicated to finding "pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges." The organization publishes the IUCN Red List, compiling information from a network of...
, to dub him the 'Guru of Gnu.' It has been suggested that Estes is responsible for most of the world's knowledge of wildebeest behaviour.
Estes chose to study wildebeest because he thought they were 'the most interesting' animals he knew, particularly in their rutting
Rut (mammalian reproduction)
The rut is the mating season of ruminant animals such as deer, sheep, elk, moose, caribou, ibex, goats, pronghorn and Asian and African antelope....
behaviour. He obtained his doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in the early 1960s with a thesis on the wildebeest of the Ngorongoro Crater, in which he advanced the theory that the females' estrus was triggered by the rumbling 'love call' of the males. Estes has spent most of the ensuing 40 years doing field work in Africa. In 2004 he began a project in cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
to test his early theory using new advances in molecular chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
.
Estes has written two guides for travellers to Africa, The Behavior Guide to African Mammals (considered the standard reference of its kind) and The Safari Companion.
External links
- Selection of articles by Estes from the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation.
- Interview with Thomson Safaris Newsletter.
- Audio interview (mp3 format) from airborneadventuresafrica.com.